pro rmk 155 vs 163

[jeff3000]

Looking for my first sled. Will be riding mainly backcountry and powder.

There is a good deal right now on a 2011 pro rmk 163.

For those of you that have rode the 163, how did you like it?

How is the maneuverability of the 163 vs the 155?

Any other big differences between the two tracks?

 

[Demo250]

After much debate I bought the 163"

Previous sleds were a 154" XP and a 155" IQ
I'm definitely happy with my choice. Don't notice any difference in handling, I do notice it floats a little better though and it gets some crazy traction. We have some really deep months here so it was a good choice in my opinion.

 

[mafia-20]

I can't say myself I only have the 155 but after a few seconds searching I found.

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=259818&highlight=163+compared+155

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278200&highlight=163+compared+155

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261471&highlight=163+compared+155

Have fun once you decide they are a blast to ride.

 

[barry1me]

I will tell you after this friday how a 155 compares to a 163 in the trees, carving, boondocking, sidehilling, and climbing.

 

[Timberview01]

Go for the 163 without hesitation. I went from a 154 XP to a 163 Pro last season. With the light handling of the new Polaris chassis, there is no downside. You will get better flotation, better traction, better braking, and it is still extremely easy to carve. Last year was my first full season of riding, and I feel as though the Pro made me a better rider. Absolutely no regrets on going with the 163. Have Fun!!!

 

[m8sandman]

i rode 162 cats for years before switching, this sled gets on top of the pow so well and is so light i went 155 and love it. if i was to buy again i'd do the same. guess a lot of it also depends on how much you weigh and the type of riding you do. my buddie has a 163 and the difference is very small in performance. each has its advantages, either one works great...

 

[akgiauque]

I am coming from a 144 RMK to a 155 and I notice the increased turning radius on the hard pack. Some of this is the rail length, some is the track depth but I can only infer the 163 would be that much more difficult to turn. This is the only negative difference I have noticed in 400 miles of riding this year. I notice the biggest difference in how well the 155 2.4" goes vs the 144 2.0" . Spent last weekend getting some 141's out of being stuck in the trees with deep powder, I was able to walk by them and power out if I needed to. I do not notice the difference on the bumps but was on a 10 RMK vs 12 PRO. If you are in powder then the 163 would be just that much better. If you split the trails and powder the 155 would still be a great ride.

 

[440dart]

get the 163 put a camo extreme 163 on clutch the hell out of it dont tell your buddys and look at the wtf look on there faces after you dominate them in everything but hero snow

 

[RockinMntKing]

I have a 12 163, my buddy has 11 155 assult they are clutched and geared identical except he has a custom helix that i am waitin on Team to make more of, with the exeption he has a camo extreme. As far as trail handleing he can out run me on rough moguled trails but on groomed its a crap shoot. Deep powder hill climing i think talent aside my sled will only slightly out edge his. He is a better rider then me and can take that sled every where i take my 163, but i put alot of faith in that camo extreme that think doesnt trench and it just goes goes goes and goes some more. Im not gonna tell you which route to go but those are what weve seen this season. Id def buy another 163 but im also def going to have a camo extreme on mine asap!

 

[beefspots]

For what its worth..............I was skeptical with my choice of the 163 at first but after couple hundred miles of riding with my buddies 155 I am happy (very happy) with my decision.

 

[Pro-8250]

Looking for my first sled. Will be riding mainly backcountry and powder.

There is a good deal right now on a 2011 pro rmk 163.

For those of you that have rode the 163, how did you like it?

How is the maneuverability of the 163 vs the 155?

Any other big differences between the two tracks?

Whoa big fella! FIRST SLED? Are you saying you have never owned a snowmobile????
When you say back country and powder does this mean in the flat lands or in the mountains?
We have a 2011 155" and 2011 163" PRO.
We just returned from Cooke City yesterday where in some places the snow was up to your eye balls!
IMO the 155"maneuvers better and the 163" floats and climbs better.
The 163" has a coupled (tipped) rail.
The 155" does not.
The 155" seems to porpoise more on hill climbs than the 163"
All that being said, they are the best (stock) mountain sled out there.
But not a good trail sled.
A lot of it comes down to your age, weight, and more importantly YOUR ability.
I think everyone here needs a little more info from you because if this is your first sled as you say, your in way over your head, IMO.

 

[mnescape]

The 163" has a coupled (tipped) rail.
The 155" does not.

Actually, they BOTH have straight rails for MY 2012.

 

[Pro-8250]

Actually, they BOTH have straight rails for MY 2012.

I don't know about the 2012. The sleds in question were 2011s.

 

[sledfreak650]

if you can ride it, anything the 155 can do the 163 will do better...

 

[jeff3000]

Whoa big fella! FIRST SLED? Are you saying you have never owned a snowmobile????
When you say back country and powder does this mean in the flat lands or in the mountains?

I think everyone here needs a little more info from you because if this is your first sled as you say, your in way over your head, IMO.

I have never own a snowmobile,this would be my first.

I will ride in Whistler, so mainly mountain riding.

I am 6 foot tall and weight 180lbs.

From what I have heard, the pro rmk is the easiest sled to handle,
hence why I am thinking of getting one to learn on.


Unfortunately, I was gonna go by the 163 today but someone beat me
to it by a couple of hours. Pretty depressed right now.

There is still a couple 2011 pro 155 for sale. Thinking about it...

Can you put a longer track on the 155?

 

[Demo250]

I have never own a snowmobile,this would be my first.

I will ride in Whistler, so mainly mountain riding.

I am 6 foot tall and weight 180lbs.

From what I have heard, the pro rmk is the easiest sled to handle,
hence why I am thinking of getting one to learn on.


Unfortunately, I was gonna go by the 163 today but someone beat me
to it by a couple of hours. Pretty depressed right now.

There is still a couple 2011 pro 155 for sale. Thinking about it...

Can you put a longer track on the 155?

If it is your first sled that changes everything. Buy the 155" and ride the hell out of it. It will be easier to learn all the basic skills on than a 163" and there is only a small difference in deep snow performance anyway. The 163" will go like 7 sled lengths higher on the hill, big whoop.

Try get a package deal with the sled, a beacon, shovel, and probe. (Seriously, go buy it and stop worrying about not getting a 163", you'll love it) I had a friend sorta like you who wanted the biggest and baddest because he thought he would be a rockstar out there right away. No matter how much we tried to talk him out of it, he wanted the biggest and baddest. (He's talking turbos before he has even ever ridden) Thank god he finally settled on a used stock sled to learn on. He still rides it by the way. Perspectives change.

And to answer your last question... yes, a sled can be extended. Remember though, if you are getting stuck all the time don't just throw on a 163" and expect to suddenly solve the problem. Riding skill must be built up first. Once you have all the basic foundations of riding mastered you will have a better understanding of what track length you really want. Heck, maybe you will love jumping and hitting drops more than anything... if that is the case, you'll probably have way more fun on a 144". (The 155" is great though, as it provides that perfect mix between super deep technical riding performance a 163" provides and playful jumping and ditchbangin of a 144")

 

[crf118r]

I have never own a snowmobile,this would be my first.

I will ride in Whistler, so mainly mountain riding.

I am 6 foot tall and weight 180lbs.

From what I have heard, the pro rmk is the easiest sled to handle,
hence why I am thinking of getting one to learn on.


Unfortunately, I was gonna go by the 163 today but someone beat me
to it by a couple of hours. Pretty depressed right now.

There is still a couple 2011 pro 155 for sale. Thinking about it...

Can you put a longer track on the 155?

Keep looking for the 163". They are out there.

 

[Pro-8250]

I have never own a snowmobile,this would be my first.

I will ride in Whistler, so mainly mountain riding.

I am 6 foot tall and weight 180lbs.

From what I have heard, the pro rmk is the easiest sled to handle,
hence why I am thinking of getting one to learn on.


Unfortunately, I was gonna go by the 163 today but someone beat me
to it by a couple of hours. Pretty depressed right now.

There is still a couple 2011 pro 155 for sale. Thinking about it...

Can you put a longer track on the 155?

Six foot tall and a 180 pounds? You will kick butt!
Go for the 155". You can't go wrong.
If you care to, send me a PM on what you claim to be a good deal on the sleds you are considering. If the arrival of snow does not increase expeditiously in the next few weeks in the lower 48, the prices of ALL sleds will drop. By early to mid February? Even more.
And it's not worth changing the 155" to a 163".
My $.02

 

[05 tmk 900]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the difference between the 155 and the 163 is only 4 inches of snow/trail contact ?
I'm surprised that the rails are not tipped anymore ?
I thought it helped a lot with carving ? my 166 is tipped and I like it....
Can you cheat with installing a longer track on the 154 rails if you put a "big wheel" kit on and max out your adjusters ?

 

[Leaf27]

If you care to, send me a PM on what you claim to be a good deal on the sleds you are considering. If the arrival of snow does not increase expeditiously in the next few weeks in the lower 48, the prices of ALL sleds will drop. By early to mid February? Even more.
And it's not worth changing the 155" to a 163".
My $.02

I am assuming he is Canadian, so entirely different prices on sleds from US. The snow pack in BC has been really good this year.